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1833444 tn?1325557062

Confused on lab results

Lab report today my GI says I'm still UND (GREAT NEWS) but I'm a little confuse as to the statement on my lab report.
But my liver enzyme is a little high 44 H (15-41) she said no big deal.

Even tho the Hep C VIRUS RNA  says  "NEGATIVE"
"Specimens reported as POSITIVE but <43 IU/ml contain detectable levels of Hep C RNA but the viral load is below the limit of quantitation.
A negative result does not rule out infection." Ok I never seen this statement on my lab reports before

I don't know still learning maybe I'm just reading to much into this but can you be still positive with a negative report ?

Thanks for any wise words ...need to go into a better frame of mind
6 Responses
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131114 tn?1380083190
when that happened to me, sorry to say the virus came back after a while. best to get a re-do and get someone to explain the results to ceecee? just want them to make SURE. i went thru this twice now----
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1833444 tn?1325557062
and fijole I didn't forget you ;-)
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1833444 tn?1325557062
Thank you flcyclist it just threw me for a lope you have clarified it better
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1669790 tn?1333662595
"Specimens reported as POSITIVE but <43 IU/ml contain detectable levels of Hep C RNA but the viral load is below the limit of quantitation.  A negative result does not rule out infection."
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If I understand your post correctly your PCR result reported NEGATIVE.   Congrats!

I interpret the statement above to be a qualifying statement to help explain that if a POSITIVE result was reported, it could represent a level below the limit of quantification (<43 IU/ml) and above the limit of detection (7 IU/ml?)  

Also, a NEGATIVE result doesn't guarantee that there's absolutely no virus present in the sample, its just below the Limits of Detection of their test (7 IU/ml ?)    Others may interpret this information differently.  If so, please share your thoughts.
Helpful - 0
223152 tn?1346978371
What a confusing statement.  --  Specimens reported as POSITIVE --   what the heck does that mean?  I would read it to be detectible but under the level of quantification (43) meaning you probably have a VL under 43.  Maybe you can have the blood rerun using the heptimax.

frijole
Helpful - 0
1669790 tn?1333662595
Congrats on the UND. You are negative as the report states.  Based on the numbers provided it appears you had the Quest RT-PCR which has Limits of Quantification of <43 IU/ml and Limits of Detection of <7 IU/ml.  The statement, "A negative result does not rule out infection" means there could be virus below the Limit of Detection.  Not likely, but possible.   Don't worry about the slightly elevated liver enzymes.  
Helpful - 0
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